Alcohol And Insomnia – A Bad Combination

There’s nothing worse than getting in bed after a long, exhausting day and simply not being able to sleep. And even though we’re thoroughly tired, we are somehow kept from sleep by an internal process we neither understand nor can control. Insomnia strikes us all at some point in our lives; it leaves us feeling mentally and physically drained, and unprepared for another long day ahead.

Those who suffer from insomnia periodically will try all manner of solutions to induce sleep. From warm milk at bedtime to sleep masks and earplugs, there’s nothing we won’t try once to put insomnia at bay. For some, a glass of wine or bottle of beer seems like an appropriate way to combat insomnia. And while alcohol before bed will often induce a speedy sleep, in the end alcohol and insomnia just don’t mix.

The combination of alcohol and insomnia works something like this: the introduction of alcohol induces sleep quickly. However, it also begins to instantly dehydrate your body. The result is a fitful sleep that stops short of REM required for a deep, rejuvenating rest. Instead, you will most likely wake just several hours after falling asleep. The reason? Your body needs water. So, despite what you may think, alcohol and insomnia is one of the worst combinations.

Short bouts of insomnia may be inevitable in every person’s life. Sometimes, just a change in routine can help you get back to resting peacefully. Darken your bedroom, play soothing music, or limit food and beverages before bed. If, however, insomnia continues to plague you, you may consider seeing your doctor. For ongoing problems with insomnia, there is effective medication – both prescription and over-the-counter – that will safely help you fall asleep.

Getting adequate sleep is absolutely crucial to a healthy lifestyle. No one can be expected to function successfully in life without ample rest. But combining alcohol and insomnia is simply not the way to go in order to ensure a restful sleep. Look instead to more natural ways to combat insomnia or seek professional guidance from your doctor.

Insomnia Cures, Do These Work?

Insomniacs’ Society

Insomniacs know what F. Scott Fitzgerald was talking about when he wrote that the worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to. Insomniacs dread the night while others go to bed without much fuss and sleep soundly away. Insmoniacs keep tossing and turning in bed and worry until morning.

You can identify insomnia sufferers on sight. They sport dark circles under their eyes, are between slim and thin, and are sleepy during the day because of sleep deprivation. The one thing in the world they crave is a good night’s sleep with or without medical prescription. They have have tried all insomnia cures from the unusual to the traditional but without satisfactory results.

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia means habitual sleeplessness. The word is taken from the latin word insomnis meaning sleepless. Insomniacs are not born, they develop because of medical conditions – heart disease, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, asthma, and even just plain feeling blue.

The environment can set off sleepless nights, and a class bully can cause insomnia for a child. This is no laughing matter; if the boss can give you sleepless nights, why can’t the bullies?

What you eat or drink – coffee, colas, and teas can upset your sleep routine. And if you have eaten a huge sandwich just before bedtime expect sleep to come late. Surprisingly a partner who snores too loud can also trigger insomnia.

If you are suddenly losing sleep, check out the mattress, pillow, and the temperature. Once this has been figured out, the problem will be happily resolved, and you go back to your regular sleeping pattern. Knowing what causes your insomnia can help you get the right insomnia cures.

Folksy Insomnia Cures

The tried tested insomnia cures are:

1. A glass of warm milk, and a turkey sandwich will set you nodding. Tryptophan in milk which is also found in turkey meat are great sleep inducers. If these do not work, then the other alternative would be pills.

2. Making a ritual of going to bed – this will send signals to the body that it is near bedtime, and the body clock adjusts. Stick to this regimen.

3. Learn to relax, and if your mind keeps on racing, do something quiet until you feel sleepy again.

4. Stick to your sleeping time, and avoid taking afternoon naps.

Time to See the Doctor

When these simple insomnia cures are not taking effect, it is about time to see a doctor. The doctor will check your health to determine the cause of your sleeplessness. In most cases a doctor will prescribe pills. The pills may be give temporary relief but are also habit forming when abused.

Some insomniacs, in their desperation for sleep, self medicate. Avoid this because this may only make the matter worse. The recent outcome on the Rozerem has shown some positive results, but there are observations that the drug is not advised for people who may have allergies to any of the drug’s components.

Pills are not always the better alternative as insomnia cures. Avoid taking any medication just for the sake wanting a good night’s sleep. One last tip – before taking any un-prescribed insomnia cures, especially pills, make sure that you have your doctor’s advice. He may be able to find out the root cause of your insomnia!

Insomnia Treatment – Start To Sleep Well Again

For people who are suffering from insomnia, there is nothing so important as finding a good insomnia treatment. After all, the persistent inability to sleep, the constant fatigue, and the frustration of failing to get any rest night after night takes its toll. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available for people who suffer from insomnia, and an effective insomnia treatment can be found by those who need one.

The first thing to do when looking for an insomnia treatment is to look at insomnia prevention. Eliminating caffeine in the evening hours, exercising in the early evening, avoiding television and the internet near bed time, and getting to bed early are all excellent ways to prevent insomnia before it starts. And prevention is the best way to start treatment.

Probably the best-known insomnia treatment is the classic glass of warm milk. For as long as anyone can remember, when somebody has trouble falling asleep, someone has recommended a nice glass of warm milk. The reasons for its effectiveness are still not entirely understood, but warm milk does help people fall asleep. Though it will not necessarily help someone who is suffering from chronic insomnia, it will help people who just need a little something that will help them relax enough to get to sleep.

When the insomnia is a little more stubborn, stronger methods may be necessary. There are several herbal insomnia treatments available and they can be very effective assistants when someone is having trouble falling asleep. The most common herbal treatments include ingredients such as lavender, chamomile, or valerian and they can be very effective when sleep will not come otherwise.

Another option for people who need help falling asleep is melatonin, a naturally-occurring hormone. This hormone is vital in regulating human sleep cycles and, when taken in pill form, it can help people get their insomnia under control and fall asleep when they need to fall asleep. And because it is a naturally occurring hormone in mammals, it is not as hazardous as some of the stronger insomnia treatments.

Unfortunately, some people do not respond to any of these methods and need a stronger insomnia treatment. Which means, of course, sleeping pills. Admittedly, sleeping pills are very effective. However, they also carry a risk of dependency and even addiction and should, therefore, be used sparingly. But, for people who are suffering from extreme, chronic insomnia, there is sometimes no other choice and sleeping pills are needed to finally get a good night’s sleep. While it is not a method that should be taken lightly, serious insomnia sometimes require serious measures and sleeping pills are an extremely effective insomnia treatment.

Insomnia treatment is vital for people who want to start getting a good night’s sleep again. And there are several treatment options available for people who are suffering from an inability to sleep, ranging from simple methods of prevention to the use of sleeping pills. But the best method is one created by sitting down with a doctor and putting together an insomnia treatment plan that tailor made for the person who is struggling with sleep.

Insomnia – The Inability To Sleep

Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or to remain asleep for a reasonable period. One who suffers from insomnia will typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or “rest their mind” for more than a few minutes at a time.

Insomnia is a symptom, though a common misconception is that it is itself a sleep disorder. Insomnia is most often caused by sleep disorders, but other causes include fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs and caffeine. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be a cause. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it.

Treatment for Insomnia

Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to try to get some rest. Others use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and/or passion-flower. The psychoactive plant cannabis sativa commonly known as marijuana has also been reputed to induce drowsiness in its user, however, use of cannabis sativa for treatment of insomnia is unlawful in most jurisdictions.

Some traditional remedies for insomnia have included drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon, eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour.

Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia throughout its history. A typical approach may utilize acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle analysis, herbology and other techniques, with the goal to resolve the problem at a subtle level.

Although these methods have not been scientifically proven, some insomniacs report these remedies are sufficient to break the insomnia cycle without the need for sedatives and sleeping tablets[citation needed]. Warm milk contains high levels of tryptophan, a natural sedative. Using aromatherapy, including lavender oil and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.

The most commonly used class of hypnotics prescribed for insomnia are the benzodiazepines. This includes drugs such as temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam and midazolam. These medications can be addictive, especially after taking them over long periods of time.

Some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, trazodone and doxepin have a sedative effect, and are prescribed off label to treat insomnia.

Low doses of Atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel are also sometimes prescribed for their sedative effect.

The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night’s sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been proven to help sleep. They take stress from the mind and body which leads to a deeper more restful sleep.

Disclaimer

The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from insomnia, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.

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